Nowadays smart people are making smart choices. They are dropping there old habits of cooking in unhealthy substance cookware and opting for new sustainable yet aesthetic terracotta cookware's. But to many, the usage and maintenance of terracotta products is still a matter of worry. So, here we are to relieve you from your worries of ‘how to use a terracotta product?’. And will be going tell you about some ‘how's’ of using a terracotta.
So be ready with your terracotta pot!
Preparing your Clay Pot for the first Use:
Unglazed clay pots need some preparation before using them for the first time use. You need to immerse the clay pot in a clean bucket of water for at least one hour. You can also leave it overnight in a sink completely covered with water. After submerging your clay pot thoroughly, allow it to dry under sun for atleast 1 hour. Now your pot is ready for use.
Seasoning your Clay Pot:
Seasoning of your clay pot enhances its hardness and durability and makes it more crack-resistant. It also helps in getting rid of the initial clay smell. And also allows the food to cook properly thus increases it aroma and flavours .To season your clay pot you need wipe all the unglazed areas of the pot with a piece of cloth and rub it with olive or vegetable oil. Then fill the pot upto 3/4th level with water. Put the lid on it. Now place the oiled pot in a cold oven. Turn on the heat of oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the pot to bake for 2 to 3 hours. After baking it ,turn off the heat and allow the pot to cool completely. Now Wash it thoroughly and store it in a cool, dry place.
Before cooking
You may find this pre-preparation a bit tiring. But this is the most necessary part in preparing your pot for cooking. As this is the process through which pot becomes rightly porous as well as durable and will add burst of flavors to your dish. Before you begin cooking your meal in the clay pot , submerged that clay pot with lid for at least 15 minutes. This allows the pot to absorb the moisture in its pores during soaking. As the pot is slowly heated while cooking it tends to release steam which gently cooks the food. This prevents foods from drying out and also preserves the nutrients of the food.
After cooking:
Now done with your cooking of appetizing dish in the terracotta clay pot!
So after cooking you need to handle handle your the pot cautiously. Make sure to use oven gloves or baker’s pads when removing or touching the clay from the stove or oven. Always place the hot pot on a heat resistant trivet, tea towel or wooden board as placing a hot pot on a cold surface may cause clay to crack. Carefully lift the lid, so that the rising steam will not scald you!
*Appropriate temperature settings:
When cooking in a clay utensil, always start your cooking with low heat and raise the temperature slowly over the course of 10 minutes or so. Sudden rise or fall of the temperature can cause an earthen pot to crack. So do try to maintain the temperature
Done with your cooking?
So now just eat your Savory .will be meeting you in ‘Directions of Cleaning a Clay Pot’.